, Cabinet Secretary for Health
and Social Care: I am pleased to announce I am today accepting
the recommendations made by the NHS Pay Review Body (NHSPRB) from
1 April 2026.
The NHSPRB recommended a 3.3% consolidated uplift effective from
1 April 2026 for all Agenda for Change pay points. Staff employed
under these terms and conditions include nurses, cleaners,
porters, and healthcare support workers.
The NHSPRB economic analysis shows this uplift is above the
current inflation forecasts for both the Bank of England and the
Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR). The OBR expects the rate
of inflation to have peaked by the third quarter of 2025 and to
fall progressively to the 2% target in quarter one 2027.
In accepting these NHSPRB recommendations, we are committed to:
- Uplifting all pay points for Agenda for Change staff by 3.3%
on a consolidated basis, effective from 1 April 2026.
- The Welsh Government has already announced its intention to
pay the real living wage (Living Wage Foundation rate) from 1
April 2026. This means the increase for the lowest-paid NHS staff
will range from 3.8% to 5.9% as a result, significantly above
inflation.
As part of the overall pay package, alongside accepting the
NHSPRB recommendation about pay, we will continue to progress
tri-nation with the NHS Staff Council to agree and implement
improvements to the Agenda for Change pay structure.
These will build on the constructive discussions to date with
unions about a multi-year, funded mandate for Agenda for Change
structural reforms in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Our priorities for structural reform include improving pay for
the lowest paid staff and graduate pay. Once agreed, these
reforms will be effective from, and backdated to, April 2026.
I would like to extend my thanks to all NHS staff in Wales for
their dedication and hard work. Your commitment to providing
exceptional care and services is truly appreciated.
